How important is a website when applying for positions in a product design firm?

Long story short, I worked for a client, designed a beautiful line of products for them. They were never able to be pick up in stores (yet) and have asked me to not display the work on my website for fear of competitors ripping them off. The work I did for them is the shining star of my portfolio.

I have developed a great relationship with this client and have obliged them. We agreed I can send the work via PDF to firms I am applying to and use them as reference. Since I don't want to wipe their work for my portfolio I send my portfolio through PDF to possibly clients and employers.

I am wondering how much not showing firms/website is hurting my chances. Are there any people that have done hiring or do hiring for design firms that can give me pointers?

Password protect your site and create another that is not password protected with just your other work and no NDA stuff. Usually when I get applications to review from HR its just a list of links anyway. Sometimes they put the PDF on a spot on our server but usually I still check the sites first.

I'd much rather open the PDF you sent me than enter some passwords on a website. First, it shows you cared to send it to me and you want to work for my company. Second, I'm not hiring you until I see your portfolio.

Source: I work at a product development company and we just hired a guy.

The book "what color is your parachute" recommends writing targeted letters and doing informational interviews as great tools for networking and job getting. I think people will respect that you are keeping things confidential. If you have permission to show good work and send it with good cover letters I think you are all set. These are more important than a website for someone looking for a job. The best leads I've had in my life I made myself in this exact way.